Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Room 163 [C8]
Investigating the Role of RXLR Effectors in the Basil Downy Mildew Pathogen Peronospora belbahrii
Presenter: Kiyan Michael Moinzadeh
Group Members: Myrger Limanaj, Sevin Ilgaz Hakioglu, Maria Basta, Elsa Cranson, Luke G. Frey
Faculty Sponsor: Li-Jun Ma
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Biology
ABSTRACT
Basil downy mildew (BDM), caused by the obligate oomycete Peronospora belbahrii, poses a major threat to basil cultivation by circumventing plant immune defenses through the action of RXLR-type effector proteins. This research aims to characterize candidate RXLR effectors from P. belbahrii, focusing on their subcellular localization and immune-suppressive activity during infection. Using gateway cloning, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and agroinfiltration into Nicotiana benthamiana, we will express effector constructs to assess their impact on the plant's hypersensitive response and visualize their localization via confocal microscopy. These findings will provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying P. belbahrii pathogenicity and inform the development of basil cultivars with improved resistance to BDM, supporting disease management strategies for sustainable basil production.